5 bodies ID'd as those of kidnapped Mexican youths

By Nick Parker, for CNN

Updated 12:25 PM ET, Sun August 25, 2013

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – What happened to 12 young people who were forced at gunpoint into a van in Mexico City's popular Zona Rosa entertainment district on May 26? The mystery has gripped nation. Penelope Ramirez is a cousin of Jerzy Ortiz Ponce, who is one of the 12 missing people. She holds a sign with his picture during a gathering of family members in the Tepito area of Mexico City on May 31.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Maria Teresa Ramos, right, the grandmother of Jerzy Ortiz Ponce, is consoled by a neighbor in Mexico City on May 31.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Family members of the 12 missing hold signs on May 31 with the pictures on them and phrases such as "They have not been seen since Saturday at Zona Rosa in Heaven."

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Family members of Jerzy Ortiz Ponce embrace one another while holding signs for the missing on May 31 in Mexico City.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Relatives of the 12 missing youth protest in front of the general attorney's office in Mexico City on May 31.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Relatives speak to media in front of the general attorney's office in Mexico City on May 31.

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Story highlights

13 bodies found in mass grave near Mexico City this week

Of those 13, five have been identified as youths kidnapped from Mexico City bar

12 youths were kidnapped from after-hours club in May, authorities say

Four people have been arrested in the case

At least five of the bodies found this week in a shallow grave near Mexico City are those of teens who were kidnapped from a bar three months ago, Mexico's attorney general said Friday.

The announcement appears to shed light on a crime that jolted the capital city: The kidnapping of 12 youths from an after-hours club during daylight on the morning of May 26.

Authorities on Thursday said they found a clandestine mass grave east of Mexico City. On Friday, the federal attorney general said the grave -- a shallow grave covered by concrete at an eco park in a state neighboring Mexico City -- contained 13 bodies.

Five of them were those of youths who'd been taken from the Mexico City club, the attorney general said.

Earlier, authorities said the grave was at a ranch. The site is in the town of Tlalmanalco, in the state of Mexico, about 30 miles east of Mexico City, the state-run Notimex news agency reported.